HOUSTON, TX—Public corruption is the FBI’s top criminal investigative priority. FBI Houston encourages anyone with information related to public corruption, at any level, to report it to the FBI.

The vast majority of public servants who work at the local, state, and federal levels of government are honest and dedicated individuals who strive every day to do the right thing for their constituents, communities, and our country. Unfortunately, there is a small percentage of public servants who, whether elected, appointed, or contracted, are only concerned about a very specific constituency—themselves.

“Public officials who use their position for private gain undermine the integrity of government and erode the public’s trust in the very framework of our democracy,” says Perrye K. Turner, special agent in charge of the FBI Houston field office.

The Bureau’s Public Corruption program focuses on:

• Investigating violations of federal law by public officials at the federal, state, and local levels of government;
• Overseeing the nationwide investigation of allegations of fraud related to federal government procurement, contracts, and federally funded programs;
• Combating the threat of public corruption along the nation’s borders and points of entry in order to decrease the country’s vulnerability to drug and weapons trafficking, alien smuggling, espionage, and terrorism.
• Addressing environmental crime, election fraud, and matters concerning the federal government procurement, contracts, and federally funded programs.

While rooting out corruption is difficult, the FBI works with numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to combat public corruption; and the public. Many FBI investigations of public corruption start with a tip from someone who encounters corruption.

Anyone with information related to public corruption should report it to the FBI Houston field office by calling 713-693-5000.